Car-ventilator.



No. 662,879. Patented N l A ROSS. ov. 27, |900.

CAR VENTILATDR.

(Application led Jan. S, 1900.1

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Patented Nov. 27, i900. A. ROSS. CAR vENTiLAToR.

(Application led Jan. 8, 1900.)

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N0. 662,879. Patented Nov. 27, |900.,

A. Ross.

CAR venmuo.

[Application led Jan. 8, 1900.)

4 Sheets-Shee 3.

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CAR VENTILATUR.

v Applicaeiun mea Jan. s. 1900.

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lawwuh ZZ 02s @Y Illlllllllllllilllnl lllll |lxll|ll llaman Freres Parent @tripa ALEXANDER ROSS, OF MONTREAL, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALEXANDER VALKER, OF SAME PLACE.

CAHmVENTlL/TOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,879, dated November 27, 1900.

Application filed January 8, 1900. Serial No. 689. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it petty concern:

Beit known that l, ALEXANDER ROSS, a sub ject of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residing at the city and district of Mon- `treal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilators; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in ventilators of that class which are especially adapted for Ventilating railroad-cars5 and its object is to provide a Ventilating apparatus of this character which is simple in construction, reliable and effective in operation, and which can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

To these ends the invention consists in a car-Ventilating apparatus constructed substantially as hereinafter illustrated and described, and defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure l is a view in elevation of a front end of a car provided with a Ventilating apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, the casing of the power-fan being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a similar View, the section Yin section the device for drawing the foul air from the car. Fig. 6 is a plan View of an ordinary railway-car equipped with a Ventilat ing system constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the car and the Ventilating system illustrated by Fig. 6.

ln the drawings, A represents a fan-casing constructed of any suitable material and of a form and size best adapted for the intended purpose. There are two of these casings, as shown in Fig. l, but as they are duplicates in construction and operation for the sake of brevity only one will be particularly described. These fan-casings are arranged one on each side of the car and at either or both ends, as preferred, it being only necessary to the successful operation of the apparatus to have the opening of the fan-casing face in the direction of the car.

The fan-casing A is provided with an extension c1., having an enlarged funnel-shaped' "and extending transversely therethrough is a shaft B, upon which is Xed the motor or power fan A and the suction or Ventilating fan A2. These two fans A and A2 are arranged side by side, as shown at the left of Fig. l, the fan A beinglocated in the path of the opening of the extension a, while fan A2 is entirely closed by said fan-casing. The fans Al A2 may be of any usual or preferred construction best suited for the intended purnose.

L It will be apparent from the construction above described that the motion of thecar will cause the air to rush into the fan-casing and rotate the fan A with a power proportionate to the speed of the car and that the rotation of the fan A will likewise rotate the Ventilating-fan A2, both being fixed upon the same shaft.

Ata point preferably central between the fanlcasings A is fixed an air-chamber B', which is preferably rectangular in form and of dimensions suitable for the intended purpose. In the front of said air-chamber is fixed a funnel-shaped extension h, having its inner end downwardly curved and extending into the air-cha1nber to a point near the bottom thereof, as best shown in Fig. Lt. The opening of the funnel h is also protected by means of suitable wire-gauze. The interior of the air-chamber B' is partly lled with water to any desired depth, in which the inner end of the funnel h is submerged, whereby the air is cleansed and purified as it passes IOO to the upper portion of the chamber. A series of shelves or partitions b are formed along the sides of the interior of the airchamber B for preventing the violent splashing of the water under the movement of the car.

Communicating with the interior of the fancasing A2is the air-inlet pipe b', which enters the air-chamber B near the bottom thereof and passes upwardly through the water to a point near the top thereof, where it terminates in a perforated cap b2. Upon the opposite side of the fan-casing A2 is the air-outlet h2, which leads downwardly into the interior of the car and diffuses the fresh air through suitable perforations formed in the pipe at any desired point or points. The ventilating-fan A2 is located in the path of the pipes b and b2, thus drawing the air from the air-chamber B through the pipe b and forcing it down into the car through the pipe b3, as will be readily understood. It will be understood that each fan-casing A is provided with the pipes Z9 and h2, arranged and operating as above described.

The fan-casing employed in my improved Ventilating system is divided into two compartment-s, one of which is adapted to contain the motor-fan and the other compartment incloses the suction and forcing fan of the system. With the compartment which contains the motorfan is associated the collecting-hood a and the discharge-mouth a2, said parts being situated on opposite sides of the vertical plane of the motor-fan A and arranged to secure through the compartment a circulation of air when the car is in motion sufficient to propel the motor-fan at a rate of speed proper for the operation of the suction and forcing fan. The shaft B extends through both coinpartments of the fan-casing, as heretofore described, and on this shaft is secured the suction and forcing fan, whereby the latter is driven by the power of the motor-fan transmitted through the shaft B. By reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the blades or wings of the motor-fan A and the suction and forcing fan A2 are curved so as to secure large working surfaces, which promote the efficiency of the fans; but a peculiarity of my invention consists in arranging the curved blades of the motorfan A to face in one direction, as shown by Fig. 2, while the curved blades of the suction and forcing fan A2 face in the reverse or opposite direction to that of the blades on the motorfan, this reversal of the blades on the two fans being readily apparent by a comparison of Fig. 2 with Fig. 3. This novelty in the an rangement of the fan-blades brings about an advantageous result in a car-Ventilating system in which the rotary elements are driven by a current of air which exerts its energyon one rotary element when the car is in motion. The motor-fan, which constitutes one rotary element, operates to drive the suction and forcing fan in a direction to force the air through the pipes h3 in the opposite direction to that in Which the car is running, whereby the air is distributed or diffused properly throughout the length of the car.

I attach special importance to the arrangen ment of the collecting-funnel b with relation to the purifying water-tank B. As shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings, this collecting-funnel is extended to form a contracted and downwardly-curved spout which extends into the tank B to terminate some distance below the normal water-line therein, and this spoilt is normallysubmerged in the bath of water with which the tank is supplied, whereby the aircurrent which flows into and through the collecting-funnel when the car is in motion is discharged into the water for the purpose of thoroughly eliminating from the air all particles of dust, cinders, and other refuse which otherwise would be distributed into the car or have a tendency to lodge in the pipes and the fan A2.

lt will be observed that in the practical operation ofthe Ventilating system the air which is supplied through the purifying-tank B2 to the suction and forcing fan A2 loses its energy by reason of passing through the bath in the tank B-in other words, the passage of the air-current from the funnel b through the purifying-bath neutralizes to some extent the flow or strength of the air-current, and hence the air from the funnel b bubbles or rises through the bath into the compartment or chamber within the tank B above the normal water-line therein. The employment of the suction and forcing fan A2 is therefore possessed of special utility in my improved system, because said fan operates to draw the purified air in the required volume through the pipe b and to mechanically force the air through the distributing-pipe b3..

Owing to the fact that the motor-fau is driven solely by air-currents received through an intake located in the wind-path, said motor will be driven according tothe wind velocity of the air passing through said intake. This is of positive advantage when taken in connection with the air-chamber, the air-inlet to which or its intake is subjected to the same wind velocity. This will be readily understood whenv consideration is given to the fact that if the car is traveling in adirection opposite that of the normal aircurrents the wind velocity in the intake to the air-chamber is increased, the velocity being the normal Velocity plus that of the formed velocity due to the speed of the car. This increased velocity not only creates an increased pressure, but causes the introduction of a greater amount of air into said chamber. If, therefore, dependence is placed on a mechanically-operating motor, driven, for instance, from the car-axle, for driving a device for discharging the air fromsaid chamber, this increased velocity and amount of aircannot be absorbed, inasmuch as the speed of the motor is not increased, and hence there huist be a consequent derangement of the parts of the apparatus with a positive detrimental effect. By the construction herein shown, however, such increase is automatically absorbed by reason of the intake for th'e motor fan being located in the same wind-path as the intake for the air-chamber, so that the motor-fan will be driven at a greater speed, and thus driving the ventilating or exhaust fan at a greater speed, so that there is an equilibrium maintained between the velocity and amount of air introduced into the air-chamber and the speed capacity of the device which discharges this air from said chamber, due to the fact that both intakes are located in the same wind-path and subjected to the same conditions.

The improved Ventilating system which I have devised has its elements combined and organized to supply the required volume of purified air to a car and to'diffuse the air throughout the car without creating a draft therein, notwithstanding that the suction and forcing fan blows the air with considerable energy through the distributing-pipe b3. At the same time the rotary elements of the ventilating system are driven solely by the energy of the air-current created through one compartment of the fan-casing solely by the motion of the car, and hence said rotary elements do not require the expenditure of power from a motor nor the employment of mechanical devices for driving the same, thus making the system economical for its maintenance.

Along the upper portion of the car is arranged a Ventilating-pipe D, communicating with the interior of the car, preferably by means of perforations. The pipe extends through the car at a point near its rear end and projects into the interior of a funnelshaped casing D', mounted upon the upper portion of the car. The enlarged end d of the casing D' opens in the direction of the movement of the car and may be protected by a wire-gauze. The end of the pipe D terminates near the rear end of the casing D', which is of much larger diameter than that of the pipe D, and is concentrically arranged within the casing D', as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The motion of the car causes a strong current of air to be forced through the contracted end of the funnel-shaped casing D' and draws the vitiated air from the interior of the car through the pipe D in the same manner as an ejector operates, as will be readily understood. The use of the ventilating-pi pe D for withdrawing the foul air from the car, in connection with the Ventilatingfans forcing purified fresh air into the car, insures perfect ventilation at all times.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings it will be noted that the perforated airsupply and distributing pipe b3 is arranged longitudinally of the carin a horizontal plane about on line with the upper ends of the carwindows in an ordinary passenger-coach and in a sleeping-car linst above the upper berths, whereas the perforated suction-pipe D is arranged close to the roof of the car. An essential feature of this system resides in the arrangement of the perforated distributingpipe in a plane below the perforated suction or exhaust pipe, and this arrangement insures the proper ventilation of and the establishment of the circulation in the interior of a carat the upper portion thereof. It is Well known to those skilled in the art that some of the foul air accumulates in the upper portion of the car, parliculariy when the latter is heated or the lighting system is in operation. The installation of my Ventilating system not only carries off the foul air which is confined in the upper portion of the car, but fresh pure air is supplied to the interior thereof to render the air wholesome.

If desired, ice may be placed in the airchamber B' for cooling the air in hot weather.

WhileI have herein shown apreferred form of carrying my invention into effect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such preferred details of construction, but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such modifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of my said invention.

1. A car-Ventilating apparatus comprising an air-purifying chamber having an externalair intake; mechanism for discharging the air from said chamber into the car; an independent intake eXtending in the same direction as said chamber-intake; and an air-motor in said independent intake coupled to and operating the discharge mechanism.

2. A Ventilating apparatus for cars, comprising a wind-driven or air motor; a ventilating-fan actuated solely by said motor; an air-chamber partially filled with water; an air-inlet therefor, said inlet being open in the direction of movement of the car, the other end of said inlet being below the surface of the water; a pipe leading from said chamber to said fan; and a pipe leading from the fan to the interior of the car, whereby the air-inflow into said chamber will be positively discharged proportionately to its ingress regardless of the wind velocity and car speed.

3. A Ventilating apparatus for cars, comprising a wind-driven or air motor; a 'ventilating-fan actuated solely by said motor; an air-chamber partially filled with water; an air-inlet therefor, said inlet being open in the direction of movement of the car, the other end of said inlet being below the surface of the water; a pipe leading from said chamber to said fan, the inlet end of said pipe being above the surface of the Water; and a pipe leading from-the fan to the interior of the car, whereby the air-inflow into said chamber TOO IIC)

Will be positively discharged proportionately to its ingress regardless of the Wind velocity and car speed.

4E. In a car-Ventilating system, an elevated tank adapted to be partly lled with Water, and an external-aircollecting funnel disposed in front of the tank and provided with a spout which terminates in said tank below the normal Water-line therein and is thereby adapted to be submerged in the Water of the tank, combined With a Wind-driven motor-fan having its intake open in the same direction as the intake of the collecting-funnel, a suction and forcing fan driven thereby, and an airpipe connecting the tank above its water-line with a casing of said suction and forcing fan, and a distributing-pipe leading from the suction and forcing fan, substantially as described.

5. In a car-Ventilating system, the double fancasin, having tWo compartments, one of which has a normally open outlet at one side thereof and a collecting-hood on its other side and opening in the direction of movement of the car, a single fan-shaft extending through both compartments of said fan-casing, a motor-fan mounted on the shaft, Within Vone compartment, and provided with curved blades facing in one direction, and a suction and forcing fan fast with said fan-shaft, Within the other compartment, and having curved blades which face'in a reverse direction to the blades on the motor-fan, combined with` an air-purifying tank having its air-intake opening in the same direction as the motor-fan intake, a pipe connecting said tank'with the suction and forcing fan, and a distributingpipe leading from the suction and forcing fan, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

ALEXANDER ROSS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM B. ROBERTS, R. A. DE ALLoQuI. 

